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Learning development specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a learning development specialist. Learning development specialists usually study business, psychology, or communication. 67% of learning development specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,352 real learning development specialist resumes to see exactly what learning development specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for learning development specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online learning development specialist courses to help get the education required to be a learning development specialist.
There are certain learning development specialist certifications that you should consider. These learning development specialist certifications include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
What education do you need to become a learning development specialist?
What degree do you need to be a learning development specialist?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Master's, 20%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a learning development specialist?
- Business, 26%
- Psychology, 11%
- Communication, 9%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for learning development specialists
| Learning development specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 16.77% |
| DeVry University | 5.59% |
| Purdue University | 5.59% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 5.59% |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 4.97% |
Best majors for learning development specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 26.4% |
| 2 | Psychology | 11.4% |
| 3 | Communication | 9.0% |
| 4 | Human Resources Management | 8.4% |
| 5 | Education | 5.6% |
Best colleges for learning development specialists
The best colleges for learning development specialists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
A learning development specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for learning development specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become learning development specialists.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for learning development specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development
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2. Introduction to Learning and Development
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6. Certificate Program in Learning and Development
The complete and most comprehensive course on the end to end process of how L & D operates as a function in organisations...
7. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
8. Business Development For Startups and Tech Companies
Unlock massive growth using the business development channel. Learn pitching, BD strategy, cold emailing, & deal closing...
9. Learn JavaScript for Web Development
Advance your Web Development Skills By Learning Javascript from Java Script Expert!...
10. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development
The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...
11. Ultimate Web Designer & Web Developer Course
Become a Full-Stack Web Designer in 2023 - Learn Everything from Web Design Fundamentals to Front-End Web Development...
12. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
13. Personal Development Life Coach Certification1 Training
Personal Development Life Coach Training Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Personal Development Life Coaching...
14. Instructional Design for Corporate Learning and Development
Giving you the tools to design and deliver on-point, effective corporate training programs...
15. Transformational Leadership: Leadership Development Training
Leadership Skills - Discover The Hidden Secrets Of The World's BEST Leaders (Leadership Development & Skills)...
16. Business analysis & Scrum with JIRA for Software development
Become a great Business analyst, Product owner & Scrum master with JIRA & Confluence. Business analysis & Scrum course...
17. Salesforce Development Training for Beginners
Salesforce Development :Learn about Apex programming and Salesforce development. Become a Salesforce Developer...
18. Learning and Development Tools and Methods
Learn how to develop employees and decipher the practices of Human Resource Development...
19. Business Analysis: Developing Requirements
Master the methods involved in planning and gathering requirements and framing input into requirements documents...
20. Understanding Performance Management as an HR Professional
This course is designed for human resources professionals or those who wish to learn more about performance management...
Top 10 most affordable universities for learning development specialists
The most affordable schools for learning development specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for learning development specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for learning development specialists.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for learning development specialists
The hardest universities for learning development specialists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
Some great schools for learning development specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for learning development specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for learning development specialists
The easiest schools for learning development specialists to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and ottawa university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a learning development specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for learning development specialists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
9. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
10. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
Average learning development specialist salary by education level
| Learning development specialist education level | Learning development specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $85,984 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $66,037 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $78,909 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $71,016 |
Learning development specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025